NPO «Energomash» and space-Rocket center «Progress» to the end of the year will present to the Federal space Agency of the Russian concept of the methane carrier rocket of the middle class, said in an interview with RIA Novosti General Director of NPO «Energomash» Igor Arbuzov.

«Together with the RCC «Progress» we come to the end of the year must submit to the Federal space Agency, the concept of such a space rocket complex and its market prospects,» — said Arbuzov.

According to him, if Roscosmos approves the concept, this new medium can be created in 5-6 years. However, his development will proceed in parallel with the development of the methane engine.

Previously, the RCC «Progress» offered the Russian space Agency to develop the carrier rocket «Soyuz-5.1», running on compressed natural gas (methane). Further, after fixing the name of «Soyuz-5» rocket, developed to replace the Zenit, a methane rocket called «Soyuz-7».